Fire escape



P. A. STEPHENS.

FIRE ESCAPE.v

APPLICATION FILED AUG-4, 1921.

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@Maa Mig@ M/@ Patented Dec. 5, 1922.

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FIEL ESCAIE.

Application filed August "i, 1921. Serial No. 489,709.

To all` tokio-m t mag/cocinera.'

Beit 'known thatI, PHILIP A. S'rnPHnNs,

a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fire Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fire escapes,

An object of the invention is to provide a noveland improved iire escape and fire fighting vequipment including a movable support arranged to operate within a guide or track supported near the cornice of a building.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for raising a hose by use of the invention, so that water may be discharged with greater advantage than is possible where ladders and the like are employed to raise the hose.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a view showing the arrangement of the invention in connection with a build- Iig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view.

As shown, my invention comprises a sup porting track 1 which is tubular in form and which is supported at the sides of the building by brackets 2. The track l is open along its under side and has inwardly turned edges 3. Channels or grooves are formed between the inwardly turned edges 3 and the wall of the tubular track member, which receive the wheels 4 on the movably supported truck. A large wheel or pulley 5 is revoluble on the axle 6 of the truck independently of the wheels 4.

As shown, the track 1 extends along the sides of the building and turns the corners of the building, so that there is a continuous track around the building. rIhis permits the movable support to operate 'on the track entirely around the building in either direction.

A rope 7 passes over the wheel or pulley 5 and is of sufiicient length to permit both ends to reach the ground. From one endkof the rope 7 two diverging ropes extend and carry between them a support or seating portion 8 to support a fireman or other person. Preferably, a loop 9 is secured to the rope above the seat to prevent the person on the seat from falling.

A bracket 10 is connected to the rope above the seat 8 and is arranged to engage and support the hose 1l and to carry the hose to the proper place for use.

@when the device is not in use, the ends of `the rope may be engaged within a' box or case 12 at the ground or street level. This will prevent the device from being moved out of place when not in use.

VVhen the device is used for lire fighting purposes, the fireman upon the seat 8 and within the loop 9 holds the hose in proper connection with the bracketk 10. 'Ihe fireman may raise himself to the proper height or this may be done by others on the ground engaging the opposite end of the rope. Also, the persons on the ground may move the person in the seat 8 to positions of vantage by pulling the free end of the rope in the proper direction.

I claim l. A device of the character` described, comprisingv a tube supported near the top of a building and having an opening through the under side thereof throughout its length, an inwardly turned flange along each side of the opening, said vflanges forming channels or grooves between their inner sides and the adjacent wall of the tube, a.

single wheel arranged to operate in each of said channels or grooves, an axle connecting said two wheels, a relatively large wheel on said axle extending through the ropening in the bottom of the tube between said inwardly turned fianges, a rope extending over said large wheel of sufficient length to have both ends extend to the ground, a seat support in connection with one end of the rope, and a seat supported by said support.

2. A device of the character described,y

comprising a tube supported near the top of a building and having an opening through the under side thereof throughout its length, an inwardly turned flange along each side of the openings` said anges forming channels `or grooves between their inner sides and the adjacent wall of the tube, a single wheel arranged to operate in each of said channels or grooves, an axle connecting said two wheels, a relatively large wheel on said axle extending through the opening in the bottom of the tube between said inward ly turned flanges, a rope extending over said large wheel of sufficient length to have both ends extend to the ground, a seat support in connection with one end of the rope, a seat support by said support, and a loop in connection with said seat support above the seat.

3. A device of the character described,

comprising a tube supported near the top of a buildingand having an opening through the under side thereoi throughout its length, an inwardly turned llange along each side of the opening, said anges forming channels or grooves between their inner sides and the adjacent Wall of the tube, a singlel Wheel arranged to operate in each of said channels or grooves, an axle connecting said two Wheels, a relatively large Wheel on said axle extending through the opening in the bottom of the tube between said in- Wardly turned anges, a rope extending over said large Wheel of sufficient length to have both ends extend to the ground. a seat support in connection with one end of the rope, a seat supported by said support, a

loop in connection With said seat support above the seat,-anol a bracket in connection With the seat support above the seat.

PHiLrP A. STEPHENS. 

